JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Mahamat Ahmat is a fifth grader at San Jose Elementary. He moved to Jacksonville just three years ago from the Central African Republic as a refugee.

"He was born in a refugee camp," explains teacher, Kelley Burns. "He had a hard time adjusting when he first moved here and last year he has suffered the loss of his mother. So he's overcome a lot in a very short amount of time."

Even though he's been through so much at a young age, Burns says Mahamat uses his experiences to help others. "He's so compassionate," she says. "When other children suffer the loss of a parent, he's the first to go talk to them. He's just the most compassionate, kind-hearted child."

But Mahamat isn't just interested in only helping students. "Sometimes when I see people on the street, I feel sorry for them and I don't know what to do," he says. "So sometimes when I have money I give to them."

Mahamat also has a number of professions he's considering. Some of which include: FBI Agent, firefighter, football player and actor.

"His drive to succeed is amazing," says Burns. "He is a perfectionist at everything he does, whether it's academics or sports, he wants to excel."